SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

2023 Supreme(All) 2206

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
CHANDRA KUMAR RAI, J.
Sitaram And Another - PetitionerS
Versus
State Of U.P. And 5 Others - Respondents
WRIT - C NO. - 1225 OF 2023.
Decided On : 12-07-2023

Advocates appeared:
For the Petitioner:Sharad Kumar Pandey, Advocate.
For the Respondent: CSC, Madhusudan Dikshit.

Headnote:(A) U.P. Z.A. & L.R. Act - Section 229-B - Dismissal of appeal for non-prosecution - Restoration application filed 14 years later allowed by Additional Commissioner; however, it was set aside for lack of notice to heirs of deceased parties - Importance of providing adequate notice before allowing restoration applications emphasized. (Paras 6-8)

(B) Legal Procedure - Necessity of following due process in legal proceedings underscored; failure to notify injured parties denies them opportunity to present their case. (Paras 7-9)

Facts of the case:
Petitioners filed a suit under Section 229-B regarding land ownership, which was dismissed. An appeal against the dismissal was also dismissed for non-prosecution, and a restoration application was allowed after many years but subsequently challenged. The issue centered around proper notification to deceased parties' heirs.

Findings of Court:
The court found that the Additional Commissioner acted without proper notice to the heirs, which is critical in ensuring fairness in proceedings.

Issues: The main issues were whether the restoration of the appeal was valid without notice to the heirs and the implications of procedural fairness in legal proceedings.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the failure to serve notice on heirs before restoring an appeal constitutes a denial of fair hearing and necessitates fresh consideration of the restoration application.

Result: Writ petition dismissed.

Table of Content
1. background of the case and prior proceedings. (Para 2)
2. petitioners argue against restoration order. (Para 3)
3. respondents argue notice issues in restoration. (Para 4)
4. court's considerations on appeal's restoration. (Para 5 , 6)
5. importance of notice to heirs in re-hearing. (Para 7 , 8)
6. dismissal of writ petition; fresh hearing ordered. (Para 9 , 10 , 11)

JUDGMENT

Chandra Kumar Rai, J.

Heard Sri Sharad Kumar Pandey, learned counsel for the petitioners, Sri Madhusudan Dikshit, learned counsel for respondent nos. 3/1 and 3/2 and Sri A.B. Srivastava, learned standing counsel for the state respondent.

2. Brief facts of the case are that petitioners filed a Suit No.26/1996 on 16.3.1996, under Section 229 -B of the U.P. Z.A. & L.R. act for declaration in respect to plot no.601, area 0.241 decimal situated in village Pathanpura, Pergana and District Saharanpur. The aforementioned suit was dismissed vide judgment and decree dated 15.6.1999. Against the judgment and decree dated 15.6.1999 passed by the trial court, petitioners filed an Appeal No.117 of 1998-99 before the Commissioner, under Section 331 of the U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act which was dismissed for non-prosecution on 30.5.2000. Against the order dated 30.5.2000, petitioners filed an application for recall and delay condonation on 4.7.2014. Petitioners filed a substitution application on 20.8.2014 in respect to deceased opposite parties in appeal. On 20.8.2014, Additional Commissioner allowed the substitution application dated 20.8.2014. Additional Commissioner vide an order dated 31.10.2014 allowed the recall application as well as delay condonation application on cost of Rs.250/-. One Shailesh Mishra has filed Writ C No. 66869/2014 before this Court against the order dated 31.10.2014 which was dismissed for non-prosecution vide order dated 8.1.2020. On 21.11.2014, father of respondent no.3/1 filed a recall application against the order dated 21.11.2014 which was allowed by Additional Commissioner vide order dated 15.12.2022, setting aside the order dated 31.10.2014 and restored the restoration matter for fresh decision. Hence, this writ petition against the order dated 15.12.2022, passed by respondent no.2/Additional Commissioner, Saharanpur Division, Saharanpur.

3. Counsel for the petitioners submitted that against the dismissal of the appeal for non-prosecution filed by the petitioners, restoration application and delay condonation application was allowed by the Additional Commissioner. It is further submitted that substitution application which was filed along with restoration matter, was allowed after notice to the proposed heirs. It is also submitted that order, allowing restoration application, was challenged by one Shailesh Mishra before this Court, by way of a writ petition, which was dismissed and the order, restoring the case, was maintained. It is also submitted that the application filed by the contesting respondent for restoring the case to its original number, has been allowed on the ground that no notice was issued to the heirs of deceased-party, as such, the restoration and delay condonation matter should be heard afresh. He further submitted that the impugned order is wholly illegal as by the earlier order only the appeal has been restored to its original number. It is further submitted that the impugned order be set aside and necessary direction be issued for disposal of the petitioners' appeal in accordance with law.

4. On the other hand, Mr. Madhusudan Dikshit appearing for the contesting respondent submitted that appeal was restored without notice to the contesting respondents. It is further submitted that substitution application was filed along with restoration matter and on the same day, the substitution was allowed which demonstrates that notice was not issued to the proposed heirs. It is further submitted that dismissal of the writ petition at the instance of another party, will not bind the contesting respondent to challenge the

Click Here to Read the rest of this document
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
SupremeToday Portrait Ad
supreme today icon
logo-black

An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance

qr

Scan Me!

India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

whatsapp-icon Back to top